Artwork

Ornithogalum umbellatum (kost-fuglemælk); Ornithogalum pyramidale (pyramide-fuglemælk); Gagea lutea (almindelig guldstjerne); Ornithogalum nutans (nikkende fuglemælk)

Ornithogalum umbellatum (kost-fuglemælk); Ornithogalum pyramidale (pyramide-fuglemælk); Gagea lutea (almindelig guldstjerne); Ornithogalum nutans (nikkende fuglemælk) is an unspecified work on paper by Unknown. It dates from 1654 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

This 1654 work by 35199_person, housed at the Museum of Ethnography, is a detailed botanical illustration featuring four plant species: Ornithogalum umbellatum, Ornithogalum pyramidale, Gagea lutea, and Ornithogalum nutans.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a meticulous depiction of three distinct plants (with a fourth referenced), emphasizing botanical accuracy, including roots, bulbs, stems, and flowers, suggesting a purpose of scientific documentation and knowledge sharing.

Technique & Style

Executed in a style characteristic of botanical art, the piece utilizes soft greens, whites, and yellows. The attention to detail, including intricate leaf and petal renderings, points to a methodical, possibly watercolor or similarly suited medium, technique focused on clarity and educational value.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1654 by 35199_person, the work's history is currently limited to its known storage at the Museum of Ethnography, with no detailed provenance provided beyond its creation date and current location.

Context

Emerging within the 17th-century context of burgeoning botanical interest and the development of more accurate scientific illustration methods, this work aligns with the period's emphasis on detailed natural history documentation.